Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-03-24
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SENATE
Why Sherman Resigned, and How Senator
Ingalls, Was Chosen to Succeed Him.

Why Sherman Resigned, and How Senator
Ingalls, Was Chosen to Succeed Him.
a Washington correspondent of the
Philadelphia Times writes:
In the midst of the hurry and uncer-
tainty of the closing hours of legislation
the logic of the election of John j. In
gals to the presidency pro tenn. of the
senate was lost sight of. After consul
eatlon among few Of the republican
leaders OF the senate it was concluded. as
q matter of safe precaution, that Senator
SHERMAN bad better make a formal resig-
na'ioh. Ihe equilibrium of the senate as
W parties was so nearly balanced that it
was reared that trouble might grow out
Vi iaiure to profit by the earlier OBJ
portunl1y OF choice before the expira-
'iou VI the congress, which would bring
WIN ID the COX cldence of an expiration
oi senator Sherman's term, therefore
necessltatlng new ADMINISTRATION of the
oath of Office. VIM
ne senate standing thirty eight repub-
Means TO thirty seven democrats. countinr
Iarple, with Senator Riddlebercer. of
Virginia, holding the odd senatorial trick
involved too much uncertainty. The Vir.
glnla senator's known hostility to Sbar-
man made his reelection after takino tbe
oath an lmpossibility. In addition tn
this there would be none to administor
the oath 80 the incoming senators. and
F, Crisis might arise at an untimelv moment
on the acceptance of the credentials of
Iurple and his admission to a seat.
1here were too many chances to hazard
the continuance of Sen. Sherman until
the expiration of his term and his re-
election to the chair upon the re-assem-
bling of the senate. The succession of
the president pro tenn, in case of va
cancy of the Office of vice president. to
the presidency in event of vacancy
there, having under the act of 1886 been
vested in members of the cabinet. there
was no other necessity than expediencv
to have the choice of a president pro tenn.
made before adjournment.
AS soon as 1t was decided that Senator
Sherman should formally resign, the sem
ator himself, Cameron, Evarts and Dawes
formed an alliance looking to the cleo
ton of Hoar. That gentleman, by blood
or marriage, is related to the families of
Sherman, Cameron and Evarts. As soon
as the western senators discovered the
movement which had been inaugu1 ated
to perpetuate the presidency of the SEN
ate within range of the old ring they
held a hurried conference of their own.
Senators Allison, of Iowa, and Plumb. of
Kansas, taking the lead. In canvassing
about they took up Senator Ingalls, as the
one most likely to unite the republican
strength as against Hoar. His long SER
vice and distinguished abilities, added to
his other qualifications, made him the
man for the place. The western senators
further claimed the Office as a recogni-
ton of that portion OF the country where
the republican party secures its greatest
malorities and the direction in which it
must look for its greatest work, in re-
gaining the executive control of the ma
ton.
The election of ingalls, was, therefore,
the first movement to organize the west
ern influence in republican party maneu-
vers By the time the senators got into
caucus the ingalls, movement had been
completed. Of his eighteen votes, but
one senator west of the Allegheniss stood
against him. Had there been a formal
ballot four of the New England senators,
who gave Hoar the com pliment Of a vote,
would have voted for him.
The president pro tempore by the will
of the senate. No arrangement was made
looking to a surrender of the office to
Senator Sherman upon the reassembling
of the senate. In the present status of
things Sherman's election could not be
accomplished should the senate SO wish.
Senator Ingalls, will therefore be the pre-
siding officer of the senate for tae next
two years if he lives.